Abstract: A power meter or other electrical device is provided having two independent and communicatively isolated Ethernet ports. The first Ethernet port is addressable by a first unique identifier and is configured for enabling full access to the power meter via an internal LAN. This enables a LAN operator to remotely access the power meter via the internal LAN for performing metering functions, such as full telemetry, control and programming. The second Ethernet port is addressable by a second unique identifier and is configured for being connected to the Internet. Since the second Ethernet port is communicatively isolated from the first Ethernet port, a user can access the power meter via the Internet, but cannot access the internal LAN by connecting to the power meter via the Internet.

Abstract: A system and method utilizing virtual switching in an electrical panel meter or multifunction device is provided. The virtual switching enables the meter or multifunction device to be upgraded or downgraded through a switching signal, by activating or deactivating multiple operative functions that are to be performed in the meter or multifunction device, such as operative functions for substation automation. Accordingly, when the upgrade or downgrade is necessary, the meter or multifunction device does not have to be replaced.

Abstract: A panel meter including an energy test pulse device that enables the panel meter to be used for revenue applications and eliminates the need for two separate meters, one for panel indication, and the other for energy and revenue applications. The electrical panel meter including at least one sensor configured for measuring an electrical parameter; at least one analog-to-digital converter coupled to the at least one sensor for converting the measured electrical parameter to a digital signal; a display for continuously displaying at least one electrical parameter; a processor configured to receive the digital signal and calculate an amount of energy consumed; and a test pulse circuit configured to receive the calculated amount and generate a plurality of pulses equal to the calculated amount, wherein each of the plurality of pulses is equal to a predetermined amount of energy.

Abstract: An LED lamp module designed to be easily retrofitted into existing incandescent based light fixtures with minimum modification is provided. The LED lamp module includes a generally circular metal core board including a first surface and a second surface; at least one LED disposed centrally on the first surface of the metal core board; and a flat annular printed circuit board including a current driver circuit for powering the at least one LED, the annular printed circuit board being disposed around the at least one LED and electrically coupled to the at least one LED, wherein the second surface of the metal core board is configured to contact a host fixture and heat generated by the at least one LED is conducted to the host fixture. The LED lamp module uses the host light fixture as a heat sink to transfer and dissipate heat to the external environment.

Abstract: A system and method for providing an additional option function to existing functionality of a meter device configured for measuring parameters of energy is provided. The meter device is coupled with an option device for exchanging data between the meter and the option devices along at least one data path, including exchanging initialization data provided by the option device between the meter device and the option device, wherein the initialization data is useable by the meter device for configuring the meter device to be in condition to operate with the option device. The data exchanged between the meter device and the option devices are processed by at least one processor. Upon the coupling of the devices and the exchanging of the initialization data, the meter device is operated with the option device for adding the option function to existing functionality of the meter device.

Abstract: A device for enhancing the appearance of a compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) and changing the optical properties of light emitted by the CFL is provided. The device for a compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) includes a cover configured for obscuring the compact fluorescent lamp; and an attachment mechanism configured for coupling the cover to the compact fluorescent lamp by engaging an inner surface of the compact fluorescent lamp. The attachment mechanism includes at least two resilient fingers for engaging at least two spaced apart inner surfaces of the compact fluorescent lamp.

Abstract: A retractable pusher dog for an overhead power and free conveyor system is provided. The retractable pusher dog comprises a body portion formed from a rectangular cylinder with a spring and pusher member disposed within the cylinder. When a force greater than the static spring force is applied to the pusher member, the pusher member retracts into the body portion thus reducing the overall height of the pusher dog. Due to its self-actuating retraction, the retractable pusher dog of the subject invention requires no modifications to the powered and free rails or to the load trolleys. The retractable pusher dog will prevent jamming of load trolleys by allowing the pusher dog to bypass an off-timed load carrier, introduced from a different powered rail, until it is properly aligned on the main rail. Also, the body plates of the pusher dog facilitates coupling the pusher dog to the drive chain without disassembling the drive chain thus reducing downtime of the conveyor system and labor costs.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of testing the cleanness of the inner surface of a high-pressure fuel injection pipe in which the cleanness of the inner surface of a high-pressure fuel injection pipe can be accurately measured with less variation and high reproducibility. In testing the cleanness of the inner surface of a high-pressure fuel injection pipe based on foreign particles collected by a filter for filtering a measuring liquid obtained by washing the inner circumferential surface of the high-pressure fuel injection pipe, at least the part of a group of measuring apparatuses used for testing the cleanness of the inner surface of the high-pressure fuel injection pipe that is in contact with the measuring liquid is washed using a washing solution comprising a solvent for dissolving foreign particles prior to the testing of cleanness.

Abstract: There are two engaged states of a female connector housing 20 and a joint housing 30: a partly engaged state where the housings 20 and 30 are partly engaged and a fully engaged state where they are fully engaged to connect terminals 32 and 40 thereof. Electrical conduction testing openings 25 are formed in the bottom wall of the female connector housing 20. The testing openings 25 are open when the housings 20 and 30 are partly engaged while being closed by testing opening closing portions 35 provided in the joint housing 30 when they are fully engaged. In the partly engaged state, a probe 50 is inserted through the open testing opening 25 to be electrically brought into contact with the female terminal fitting 40 in a corresponding cavity 21, thereby testing the electrical conduction of the female terminal fitting 40.

Abstract: A system is provided to prevent the generation of radio waves of local oscillation from an FM multiplex receiver 11 within a frequency band which adversely affects an FM radio 12 without providing an isolation buffer. The FM multiplex receiver 11 and the FM radio 12 are connected via a main controller 13. The main controller 13 discriminates whether or not the FM radio 12 is on. In the case that the FM radio 12 is on, the main controller 13 controls the tuning of the FM multiplex receiver 11 lest the tuning frequency of the FM multiplex receiver 11 should be set to a specified prohibited frequency.

Abstract: There is provided a common rail which can effectively restrict a generation of a tensile stress in a lower end inner peripheral edge portion of a branch hole by canceling by means of a compression residual stress and can improve an internal pressure fatigue strength in a branch pipe connecting portion, so that a secure and stable function can be obtained by having an excellent durability and preventing a fluid leakage due to a generation of the crack generation and a method of manufacturing a common rail in which a pressure application process is only added to a normal manufacturing process, no complex equipment is required, and a common rail having a high quality can be manufactured by a low cost without generating problems that an equipment cost is increased by an increase of the process and a productivity is reduced.

Abstract: In installing a retainer (20) on a connector housing (10), a guide portion (21A) formed on a removal prevention portion (21) fits in the connector housing (10) before a holding piece (22) reaches the connector housing (10). In this manner, the retainer (20) is placed in position. Therefore, it does not occur that the front end of the holding piece strikes against the outer surface of the connector housing. Consequently, it is possible to prevent the holding piece (22) from striking against the connector housing (10) and thus prevent it from being deformed or damaged. In the state where the retainer (20) has been locked at the locking position, the guide portion (21A) penetrates through the connector housing (10) and substantially contacts the seal ring (13), thus preventing the removal of the seal ring (13).

Abstract: A building block is provided for stacking with other like building blocks to fabricate a wall. The building block has top, bottom, front, rear and end surfaces. The front and rear surfaces are substantially planar. The top surface is ridged and the bottom surface is channeled to intermit with the ridge on the said bottom surface. The ends are notched so as to overlap, and present the appearance of a brick wall.

Abstract: A system and method for conducting opinion surveys using electronic mail (e-mail) as the transport mechanism is disclosed. A multimedia-enhanced e-mail message is created using an authoring tool in conjunction with a web command launcher. The enhanced e-mail message is distributed to a select set of recipients using a communication engine. The recipients individually review and respond to the questions and issues posed in the enhanced e-mail message. The responses from the various recipients are collected automatically, filtered and stored in one or more databases using a proprietary aggregation engine. The stored responses are then analyzed using an analysis engine to generate one or more reports for distribution under the direction of a user.

Abstract: A one-piece type waterproof rubber plug 30 is formed with round insertion holes 32 whose inner surfaces can be held in sealing contact with the outer surfaces of a plurality of wires 18 individually inserted into the insertion holes 32 to protect them from water. Female terminal fittings 14 having a box-shaped connection portion 15 are introduced into the insertion holes 32. In the inner surfaces of the insertion holes 32 are formed slits 50 in positions corresponding to corner portions 16 of the connection portions 15. While the female terminal fittings 14 are passing the insertion holes 32 by deforming them, the corner portions 16 enter the slits 50, thereby forcibly opening the slits 50 wider to form clearances 51. The corner portions 16 advance along the clearances 51. This prevents the corner portions 16 from damaging or scratching the inner surfaces of the insertion holes 32.